Chicago Sky's 8‑Game Slide: What's Behind the Team's WNBA Struggles?

The Chicago Sky's eight-game losing slide is about more than wins and losses. It signals a team in flux, struggling with identity, short on leadership and drifting further from playoff contention as the 2025 WNBA season approaches its final month.

From Contenders to Crisis: What Went Wrong?

Chicago began the season with promise, but now sits at 7–21, one of the lowest records in the league. Its most recent loss, 83–67, to the Phoenix Mercury, marked its eighth in a row. The Sky are now 11 games behind the final playoff spot, with only 12 games left to play.

'We're not just losing games, we're losing who we are', said interim head coach Tyler Marsh, per Chicago Sun-Times. That sentiment reflects a team unable to find rhythm, purpose or consistency.

Key Absences Leave the Sky Leaderless

Much of the slide coincides with the absence of core players:

• Angel Reese has missed four games due to a back injury.
• Ariel Atkins has been sidelined since 14 July.
• Courtney Vandersloot is out for the season with a torn ACL.

Before her injury, Reese averaged 13.5 points and 11.3 rebounds, becoming the fastest WNBA player to reach 500 points and 500 rebounds in just 38 games. Without her, the Sky have lacked both on-court impact and vocal leadership.

'We're scrambling without our anchors', said forward Michaela Onyenwere. 'There's no steady voice in the huddle'.

Cold Shooting and Turnovers Amplify the Slide

The statistics during this losing streak highlight the team's breakdown:

• The Sky allowed 40 points off turnovers in their 79–72 loss to Washington.
• They hit only 6 of 24 three-point attempts in the Phoenix defeat.
• They are being outscored by 9.4 points per game during the skid.
• Opponents have averaged 84.7 points per game against them since mid-July.

Even standout performances, like Kamilla Cardoso's 21 points and 10 rebounds against Phoenix, have not been enough to carry the team through poor shooting and defensive lapses.

On-Court Disconnect and Tactical Uncertainty

Chicago's offensive struggles have worsened without a reliable ball-handler or consistent perimeter shooting. The team leans heavily on post play from Cardoso and Elizabeth Williams, but the lack of spacing and shot creation makes them predictable.

Defensively, the Sky lack structure. They are slow to rotate and frequently give up easy scores in transition. While top teams in the league keep opponents under 77 points per game, Chicago's inability to get stops has been costly.

'You can't win giving up 85 a night', Marsh admitted. 'That's not a system, it's survival'.

Are There Any Signs of Recovery?

Despite the bleak outlook, there are a few positives. In the Phoenix loss, Rachel Banham recorded 14 points and seven assists, and Kia Nurse contributed strong wing defence with 10 points. The Sky also committed only 10 turnovers, one of their lowest tallies of the season.

Still, these are isolated flashes. To stay in the playoff conversation, the Sky must:

• Get Reese and Atkins back to full health.
• Simplify the offence to centre around interior play.
• Rebuild a defensive identity grounded in effort and cohesion.

A Team at a Crossroads

The Sky's eight-game skid is more than a losing streak, it's a warning sign. The franchise, once a post-season regular, now looks adrift. With few veterans, new systems and uncertain leadership, Chicago is not just losing games; it is losing its way.